Arecor Ltd of Cambridge, England announced the successful completion of the SMART Grant Proof of Concept Project funded by Innovate UK (formerly Technology Strategy Board). This grant was awarded in 2013 to apply Arecor’s innovative Arestat™ formulation technology to an innovative, multivalent flu vaccine, REDEE FLU™, developed by FluGen, Inc., of Madison, WI. The Arestat™ co-formulation of H5N1 and H3N2 demonstrated no significant loss of viral potency (<1 log loss) after 26 weeks at 2-8ºC. Confirming the efficacy of the Arestat™ technology to stabilise complex biological systems, whilst also being optimised for intra-nasal delivery. Paul Radspinner, CEO of FluGen said “We are very pleased with the work Arecor has done with our lead vaccine candidate REDEE FLU™. Providing a more effective influenza vaccine that maintains its stability is our ultimate goal at FluGen and we are indebted to the UK government and Arecor for making this possible”.
Paul Radspinner, www.flugen.com +01-608-441-2729

Arecor is a pioneer in the stabilization of biologic molecules, a key challenge in the development of many therapeutic proteins, peptides, vaccines and diagnostics. Many proteins, peptides and vaccines are too unstable in liquid form to develop ready-to-use drugs or are unstable at high concentrations and/or temperatures. Arecor has developed a set of unique technologies to address these problems with the potential to revolutionise the development, use and distribution of the next generation of vaccines and proteins.About FluGen

FluGen is innovating in influenza vaccination with its single-replication vaccine, REDEE FLU™. Initial, independent test results indicate that REDEE FLU™ holds promise in becoming a “universal” flu vaccine, as it performed well against multiple strains, including the dangerous H1N1 and H5N1.About Innovate UK

Innovate UK is the new name for the Technology Strategy Board and is the UK’s innovation agency. Its goal is to accelerate economic growth by stimulating and supporting business-led innovation. Sponsored by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), Innovated UK brings together business, research and the public sector, supporting and accelerating the development of innovative products and services to meet market needs, tackle major societal challenges and help build the future economy. For more information please visit www.innovateuk.org.Smart

Managed by Innovate UK, the Smart scheme offers funding to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to engage in R&D projects in the strategically important areas of science, engineering and technology, from which successful new products, processes and services could emerge. http://www.innovateuk.org/deliveringinnovation/smart.ashx